Nottingham Forest are set to lose “a good player and a good man” in Adlene Guedioura.
The midfielder is close to completing a move to Qatari side Al Gharafa, having asked the Reds to consider allowing him to leave following a successful Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria.
Guedioura has not featured in any of Forest’s opening three games of the campaign.
And while head coach Sabri Lamouchi says his departure will be a loss, the Frenchman is eager to quickly move on and focus on the players who are part of his squad.
“He is close to signing with another club. Maybe the club will announce it today,” Lamouchi said.
“It looks like we will lose a good player and a good man.
“But when he came back after the Africa Cup of Nations – the only winner of the Africa Cup of Nations in our squad – he asked me to think about letting him leave and to discuss with the club, because he found the best option.
“You cannot say, ‘no’.
“You just have to accept it and to find the right things for the club, and also for the players.”
Guedioura returned to the City Ground for his third spell in January 2018 and made 28 appearances last season, scoring two goals. He was instrumental for his country as they triumphed in last month’s tournament.
The Reds, meanwhile, strengthened their midfield ranks with the likes of John Bostock and Samba Sow during the summer transfer window.
And with confirmation of Guedioura’s exit expected any time, Lamouchi says all of his attention is on trying to get a first win in the Championship against Birmingham City tomorrow.
“As a man and a player, he was fantastic,” the Forest boss added of Guedioura.
“But I just want to focus on my squad and the players who are available tomorrow.”
